Profile of long COVID symptoms needing rehabilitation: a cross-sectional household survey of 12,925 SARS-CoV-2 cases between July and December 2021 in Bangladesh

Abstract

Background and aims : It is important to determine the profile of long COVID (LC) symptoms within the scope of rehabilitation in Bangladesh. This study’s objective was to estimate the newly experienced long COVID symptoms needing rehabilitation by determining the prevalence and spectrum of impairments due to LC in Bangladesh. Methods A Cross-sectional household survey of 12,925 COVID-19 patients confirmed by RT-PCR from 24 testing facilities in Bangladesh. LC was diagnosed according to WHO working group definition. COVID-19 Yorkshire Rehabilitation Scale (C19-YRS) was used to determine the symptom responses, symptom severity, new long COVID symptoms, and scope of rehabilitation. Results The population proportion of LC symptoms requiring rehabilitation interventions are 0.22 [95% CI, 0.20–0.24] in Bangladeshi people diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2. Among them, 0.08 [95% CI, 0.07–0.09] had mild, 0.07 [95% CI, 0.06–0.09] had moderate, and 0.05 [95% CI, 0.04–0.06] had severe long COVID symptoms (LCS). There was a significant positive correlation between LCS and functional disabilities (r = 0.889, p < 0.001), while a negative correlation was observed between the severity of symptoms and overall health (r=-0.658, p < 0.001). In comparison to the pre-COVID status, 17 new LCS were observed and the increase in the scope of rehabilitation intervention among LCS ranged between 0.01 [95% CI, 0.001–0.01] and 0.21 [95% CI, 0.19–0.22]. In Bangladesh, 59% (n = 334) of the LC cases are out of reach for any rehabilitation interventions. Conclusion Nearly one-fourth of Bangladeshi Post-COVID-19 have long COVID (LC). Seventeen symptoms (LCS) were observed and more than half of the populations having long COVID are out of reach of any rehabilitation facilities.

Psychometric analysis of the modified COVID-19 Yorkshire Rehabilitation Scale (C19-YRSm) in a prospective multicentre study

“…The COVID-19 Yorkshire Rehabilitation Scale (C19-YRS) is a condition-specific patient-reported outcome measure designed to capture the symptoms of LC, as well as assess severity and monitor the persistence of symptoms to inform and guide the rehabilitation of affected patients 7–10. Since the initial validation of the instrument,7 11 it has been widely used in a variety of LC contexts including symptom evaluation in primary care and community settings,12–14 determining the need for LC rehabilitation interventions,8 9 15 as well as epidemiological assessments of post-COVID symptoms 16 17…”

Clinical presentation of post-COVID pain and its impact on quality of life in long COVID patients: a cross-sectional household survey of SARS-CoV-2 cases in Bangladesh

“…Long COVID is an emerging medical concern characterised by clinical symptoms that persist beyond 3 months from the onset of COVID-19 infection in which the symptoms last for at least 8 weeks [ 1 ]. These symptoms cannot be explained by any other clinical diagnosis, resulting in episodic disability for the affected individuals [ 2 ]. Globally, 43% of COVID-19 survivors report post-COVID-19 symptoms, with more than half of the people residing in Asia have post-COVID persistent symptoms [ 3 ].…”

“…Globally, 43% of COVID-19 survivors report post-COVID-19 symptoms, with more than half of the people residing in Asia have post-COVID persistent symptoms [ 3 ]. In Bangladesh, studies estimate that between 16 and 24% of those recovering from COVID-19 infection face long COVID [ 2 , 4 ]. The long COVID has a wide prevalence rate globally, ranging from 7 to 43% [ 2 – 4 ], and pain is one of the major long COVID symptoms [ 5 ].…”

“…In Bangladesh, studies estimate that between 16 and 24% of those recovering from COVID-19 infection face long COVID [ 2 , 4 ]. The long COVID has a wide prevalence rate globally, ranging from 7 to 43% [ 2 – 4 ], and pain is one of the major long COVID symptoms [ 5 ].…”

Psychometric analysis of the modified Covid-19 Yorkshire Rehabilitation Scale (C19-YRSm) in a prospective multicentre study

“…The COVID-19 Yorkshire Rehabilitation Scale (C19-YRS) is a condition-specific patient-reported outcome measure designed to capture the symptoms of LC, as well as assess severity and monitor the persistence of symptoms to inform and guide the rehabilitation of affected patients [7][8][9][10] . Since the initial validation of the instrument 7,11 , it has been widely used in a variety of LC contexts including symptom evaluation in primary care and community settings [12][13][14] , determining the need for LC rehabilitation interventions 8,9,15 , as well as epidemiological assessments of post-COVID symptoms 16,17 .…”